Expanding Your Comfort Zone
We’ve all heard the phrase “get out of your comfort zone” before. While the sentiment that nothing can grow in the comfort zone does ring true in some ways, actually doing uncomfortable things is… well… easier said than done.
Roy T. Bennett describes the comfort zone as “a psychological state in which one feels familiar, safe, at ease, and secure.” For anyone dealing with stress, anxiety, overwhelm, grief, trauma and any other human experiences within the myriad of human experiences, the comfort zone is an important place. Feelings of safety, ease, and security—when available— are crucial for folks who find those feeling difficult to come by. So we have an alternative to getting out of your comfort zone — we invite you to try expanding your comfort zone instead.
In an article written by Elizabeth Kuster, she quotes bestselling author and fear expert Rhonda Britten regarding why she doesn’t want people to actually leave their comfort zones, but to expand them. She says, “You want to have the largest comfort zone possible -- because the larger it is, the more masterful you feel in more areas of your life. When you have a large comfort zone, you can take risks that really shift you." Britten goes on to explain that our comfort zone is like a recharging station where we can go to find reprieve when faced with an ever-changing world. It’s where our minds can rest. So it's not so much about stepping outside of your boundaries as it is nudging your boundaries to fit a wider variety of things (remember, friends — our boundaries are important. They keep us feeling safe and they are absolutely worth fighting for).
So how can you expand your comfort zone? Here are some of our tips.
Define your boundaries. Know what your “absolutely not”s are and don’t feel the need to cross them. If something causes you an unbearable amount of stress with little to no fun or enjoyment in return, it doesn’t belong in your big and beautiful comfort zone.
Lean on your community. Human beings are social creatures. Even the most introverted and independent of us need a support system or community that we can turn to in difficult times. Trying new things is always easier with a partner— especially if that partner helps you feel like you’re in your comfort zone just by being there. Think of expanding your comfort zone kind of like moving a couch— it’s possible to do on your own, but it's a lot easier to pivot with friends.
Remember you can change your mind. Thought something fit well into your comfort zone but you find yourself shaky and sweaty just thinking about it? In Marie Kondo style, if it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it.
Don’t forget that you can do hard things. In her book Untamed, author Glennon Doyle drops this absolutely beautiful truth bomb— "I see your fear, and it's big. I also see your courage, and it's bigger. We can do hard things." And it’s true. You can do hard things. We all can. So when something seems too grand to add into your comfort zone, remember that you are even grander and you can do it.
At the end of the day, your comfort zone isn’t something to run away from entirely. It's a place where you can unfold and unwind. But, it's when you allow yourself to expand your comfort zone that you will find yourself able to live a life that is truly unbound. Whether it’s trying a new class, making a new friend, or exploring a new path, we’re here to help. The Aura House Brampton is more than happy to be part of your comfort zone.
Blog Post Written by Maya Price-Baker
